organisational development
Damn good advice on creating a COVID-19-safe workplace
This handy guide sets out the steps NFP organisations need to take when we’re thinking of bringing our people – staff, managers and volunteers – back to their usual workplace. Published by Our Community and the Institute of Community Directors...
Diversity, equity and inclusion | CEP Report
Diversity data will only tell you so much about an organization’s commitment and approach to DEI; a conversation beyond the data is essential to building a true understanding. What efforts do you currently take to promote DEI within your organization, particularly for...
VCOSS Governance Healthcheck
VCOSS has developed this free online tool to assess your organisation’s governance. All Board/Committee members need to do is answer a series of questions, either as individuals or as part of a group. You will then be presented with tailored tips and...
The Performance Review is Dead. Long Live the Performance Review
Clear, open, and candid conversations should be had regularly with your reports—way more often than once a year. They shouldn’t just happen on the fly, though. Real-time feedback is important, but only if everyone on the team feels they can contribute, not just...
Five Myths that Perpetuate Burnout Across Nonprofits
There is a pervasive fear in the nonprofit field that focusing inwardly—on our staff, our leadership, even our own salaries—will take away from achieving our organizational missions. That needs to change. Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, you jump on board, heart open,...
An essential guide to SWOT analysis
SWOT analysis is a methodological tool designed to help workers and companies optimize performance, maximize potential, manage competition, and minimize risk. SWOT is about making better decisions, both large and small. It can help you determine the efficacy of...
Three ways to build leadership in your advocacy group
We are creative. We have public support. And – most importantly – we have people power. We have volunteers and members who give their time and money and work with us to improve transit in Toronto. To build our people power and win our campaigns we must build leaders...
Vision for Change: A new wave of social justice leadership
From designing strategic campaigns and building lasting coalitions, to fundraising and managing staff and volunteers, executive directors are expected to inhabit a wide-range of skills and demonstrate many facets of leadership. Over the course of several months, we...
VCOSS link: training and development
Community sector organisations often spend extensive time searching for relevant practical resources and training opportunities to further develop their capacity. VCOSS Link is a centralised, user-friendly and community sector-specific service designed to assist...
The tyranny of structurelessness
An article by Jo Freeman first written in the 1970s articulates insights into grassroots dynamics and politics surrounding orgamisational structure(s). Freeman highlights the inequitable power issues in so-called structurelessness.
The Citizens Handbook: Practical assistance for those who want to make a difference
An excellent and extensive collection of resources on: planning and acting; getting noticed; evaluating; getting and keeping people; leading; meeting and deciding; facilitating; fundraising; group structure; door-knocking; conflict resolution; listening...
Strategic planning template
This format has been used by medium-sized environment groups in their annual planning cycle. A simple table requiring vision, objectives, resources and performance indicators. The table is also useful for evaluation purposes.
Tools for Organisers
Resources to build a strong, cohesive organization with a clear sense of its mission and an ability to focus its energies efficiently and creatively.
Sierra Club Training Academy
Would you like to become a more effective advocate on an issue? Ever wondered about the best way to organize a campaign? Would you like to increase your communication skills? If so there is a great resource available to you: The Sierra Club Grassroots Organizing...
Volunteer management
Workshop notes covering ways to effectively communicate with and work with volunteers.